From coffee shops and breakfast spots to drinks and dancing, The Music City has a lot to offer visitors.
The Launch Tennessee staff put their heads together to come up with a list of hot spots and tips to enjoy Nashville, while you’re in town for our 3686 entrepreneurship conference.
About 3686
For more than a decade, Launch Tennessee has hosted 3686, which brings hundreds of people from across the country, to Nashville. It’s the place to be if you’re curious about Tennessee’s startup scene. Get tickets.
Things to do in Nashville
While Social Media and Communications Coordinator Abbey Lerner said Broadway is worth a trip, especially if it’s your first time in Nashville, our Chief Investment Officer Eller Kelliher suggested that visitors spend only a couple hours max on Broadway, which is famous for its honky tonks, live music and other vibrant tourist spots.
“If you want to know why people are flocking to Nashville, make sure to spend time in our neighborhoods (East Nashville, 12South, Edgehill, Germantown),” Eller also said.
Grab coffee
- Crema Coffee Roasters – Crema is a zero-waste coffee roaster.
- Dose – Dose has been featured in “Food and Wine” as one of America’s Best Coffee Bars.
- The Library Café – Buy a book while you wait in this charming shop.
Get breakfast
- Big Al’s – It’s “slap yo mamma” good.
- Fenwick’s 300 – This spot offers breakfast, lunch and dinner but our staff said to check out the breakfast
- Hearts – Check out this spot, which is inspired by the food and coffee scene of Melbourne, Australia
Get lunch
- Little Hats Market – Don’t miss this Italian market with gourmet sandwiches and fresh-made pasta.
- Hattie B’s, “If you want Hot Chicken, I don’t recommend trying Prince’s or Bolton’s, if it’s your first time — they will take you out for the day.” — Eller Kelliher
- Mas Tacos – 29,000 followers on Instagram can’t be wrong.
Have drinks
- Urban Cowboy – Check out this parlor Wine Bar located inside of an 1898 Victorian mansion
- Patterson House – “Pricey but worth it.” — Ziggy Allenlundy
- Lucky’s 3 Star Bar – This spot is a favorite dive bar with hotdogs.
Get dinner
- Lockeland Table – Eater and Thrillist have listed Lockeland as top-notch.
- Lola – Multiple employees recommended this one.
- Cheap Charlie’s Food Truck “Tacos are like $1.50. Can’t beat that,” — Ziggy Allenlundy, Launch Tennessee Capital Associate
Go dancing
- Broadway – This entertainment strip downtown includes countless bars and places to dance.
- Flamingo Nashville – Food, cocktails and dancing — make sure to check out the event schedule and the dress code before you visit this local favorite.
- The Lipstick Lounge – There’s dancing, live music, trivia, karaoke and more.
Music: See a show
- City Winery – This spot has everything from comedy to rock shows.
- The Bowery Vault – Launch Tennessee’s own Tracee Perrin has performed here.
- The 5 Spot – Check out this live music venue in East Nashville.
Visit a park
- Shelby Park – It’s a 300-acre multi-use park just two miles from Downtown Nashville along the Cumberland River.
- Radnor Lake State Park – Launch Tennessee’s Morgan Beam said, “Check out the aviary!”
- Centennial Park – The 132-acre park features the Parthenon, a one-mile walking trail, historical monuments, sand volleyball courts, a dog park and more.
Be a tourist
- National Museum of African American Music – This is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.
- Robert’s Western World – Read about all the history this building contains and then check it out.
- Frist Art Museum – The Frist is a non-collecting museum and hosts 12–15 exhibitions from some of the most prestigious collections in the world, as well as award-winning shows organized in-house.
Parking tips
- Rideshare and walk – Most of our staff said try to avoid driving. Uber or Lyft may be the way to go.
- The Library Garage – “If you must drive, the Library Garage downtown is within walking distance of most things and isn’t astronomically expensive,” said Launch Tennessee’s Anna Truss.
- On-street parking – It costs $2.25 per hour, 24-7.
Go shopping
- Fatherland District – There’s shopping, dinner and entertainment and it’s near the 5 Points area, which the LaunchTN staff also recommended for shopping.
- Green Hills mall – Check out the mall for a more traditional shopping experience.
- The Gulch – More than a dozen shops are nestled in this Nashville neighborhood.
Quoteworthy advice
“The food here is top-notch, so make it a point to try as many food spots as possible. And since Nashville is known for its music, try to find a local show while you’re in town to experience the talented local artists!” — Social Media and Communications Coordinator Abbey Lerner
“New to Nashville? Feel the rhythm of the city. Hit the honky-tonks, try the hot chicken, and let the music lead the way. Wander the streets, absorb the culture, and connect with a local. But above all, enjoy every moment!” — Event Manager Cat Boose
“There are lots of beautiful nature spots and historic sites around Nashville, so don’t forget to check those out if you have done all of the ‘usual’ Nashville things before! There’s also a ton of great rooftop bars in Nashville, which is always the best way to cap a perfect Nashville day.” — Data and Development Coordinator Morgan Beam
“I think the most fun thing to do in Nashville is walk around — from walking around the entertainment hubs and people-watching to having a quiet and refreshing walk in one of our parks.” — Capital Coordinator Ziggy Allenlundy